If youíve visited Emerald Isle recently, you may have seen red or yellow rescue flotation devices hanging on posts at the beach.

They are there to help.

The Rescue Tubes are part of a pilot program designed by Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Director Alesia Sanderson to help distressed swimmers out on the water.

Sanderson started the program at the end of June 2012, just before Independence Day, the busiest time of the year for Emerald Isle.

The program is modeled after a rescue tube initiative started by the Rescue Tube Foundation on the island of Kauai.

After reading an article about the Rescue Tube Foundation, Sanderson sought the counsel of the non-profitís leader, Branch Lotspeich, to see how they could tailor the program to Emerald Isleís needs.

Now the town has 13 rescue tubes on the beach strand, Sanderson said.

The posts are located at:

Sanderson said the tubes are designed to support four people in the water. On each post hangs one rescue tube, either red or yellow, and a whistle on a rope.

The whistle exists so a person planning to jump into the water to rescue someone can get the attention of others on the beach for assistance; or those needing help once in the water can catch otherís attention.

Sanderson said bystanders reported in July last year that a rescue tube was used to bring a swimmer in from somewhere in the Santa Maria area.

ďAs long as one person is saved, this program is a success,Ē she said.

The rescue tube posts were funded from the Parks and Recreation Department budget, and Sanderson said she hopes to put more out in the future.

Each stand itself costs approximately $100.

She said there has been some minimal vandalism to the posts, but asks beachgoers to remember that if it was their safety at stake, they would most likely want those resources intact.

She also cautioned that only competent swimmers should use the rescue tubes in the event of an emergency.

In all cases, she reminds people to ask for help from other people on the beach, and to always call 911 before attempting any rescue.